Our History
The Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County began operations in the fall of 1983 in donated space in the basement of the Sharon Herald through the efforts of the Sharon Ministerium. In the first full year of operations the CFWMC distributed over 34,000 pounds of food through 8 agencies. Today we serve 30 agencies across Mercer County.
In 1986, the Warehouse moved to Farrell
in a building donated by First National Bank. There we made our home for almost 25 years.
In 2007, the Board of Directors began an active search for a new building that would fit our
growing needs. We explored many buildings and many avenues, but nothing seemed to quite
fall into place.
When the Greenwood Group heard of our need to expand, they offered their building on South Sharpsville Avenue in Sharon as a donation, along with a significant amount of money to kick off our capital campaign!
Our capital campaign exceeded our expectations and our building renovations were finished in time for us to move in on March 31st of 2010! On June 24, 2010, the CFW held a public dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
With the installation of our new cooler and freezer which increased respectively 3 times and 4 times the amount of space we had, we are able to accommodate the incoming bounty of produce and frozen products. Our warehouse space increased by 10,000 square feet of space, giving us the ability to accept entire truckloads of donated product. This increased amount of food gave us the capability to assist the growing number of families/individuals seeking emergency food in Mercer County.
Grant funding has allowed us to further renovate our new facility to include the backpack room, sorting room, remodeled offices and most recently, new and efficient lighting and ventilation in the warehouse!
One of the beautiful works of art in our Community Room painted by Betty DiGiorgio, local artist, and friend of the CFWMC.
Opening the CFWMC, 1983. From left to right: Rev. Dr. Samuel Perry, Mrs. Patricia Campbell, Rev. Dr. Richard McCandless, Monsignor Michael Polanichka, Sentator, and Mrs. Arlen Specter, Rev. Thomas Dugan, first Executive Director, Michael Wright.
Celebrating five years of serving the community, 1988. Board members and members of the community tour the old warehouse in Farrell. Our Executive Director (then Administrative Assistant) Lori Weston is pictured on the far right!
The CFWMC has implemented two fundraising events since 2010 – Empty Bowls (every two years in April) and The Race To End Hunger – an annual event held in September. We also conduct three fundraising direct mail campaigns each year; Starve Hunger, Feed Hope held in the spring, fall and during the holidays, which allows us to fulfill our mission to serve the hungry and food insecure in Mercer County.
Lori and Mimi, alongside former board president Bill Boyle and members of the Greenwood Group, cut the ribbon at the new warehouse in 2010.
The entrance to the new location of the CFWMC, which was opened in March of 2010 and is located in Sharon.
In 2023, we look forward to celebrating 40 years of service to Mercer County residents! As we look back on those years, we can’t help but be very thankful.
The Community Food Warehouse belongs to you – the community – who have faithfully supported us with your prayers, your funds, your love, and encouragement. From our hearts - Thank you sincerely from all of us here at the CFWMC. May God bless you as you have truly blessed us.